SRES 389 - Resolution Condemning Anti-Vaccine Policies

Overview

Bill Number: SRES 389

Title: A resolution condemning the extreme anti-vaccine policies of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., strongly opposing the policies of the State of Florida that roll back immunization requirements, and expressing the sense of the Senate that vaccines are critical to protecting public health, eliminating preventable illness and death, and reducing hospitalizations and severity of illness, work best when adopted at a high level within each community, and must be made available to the public.
Status: Introduced in Senate
Introduced: September 16, 2025

Purpose and Intent

This Senate resolution aims to strongly condemn the anti-vaccine policies and rhetoric of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as the rollback of immunization requirements in the state of Florida. The resolution affirms the Senate's position that vaccines are essential for protecting public health, preventing illness and death, and reducing the burden on the healthcare system. It emphasizes that vaccines are most effective when widely adopted within communities.

Key Provisions

• Condemns the "extreme anti-vaccine policies" of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
• Strongly opposes the policies of the State of Florida that roll back immunization requirements for schools and other public settings
• Expresses the sense of the Senate that:
  • Vaccines are critical to protecting public health and eliminating preventable illness and death
  • Vaccines help reduce hospitalizations and the severity of illness
  • Vaccines work best when adopted at a high level within each community
  • Vaccines must be made widely available to the public

Affected Parties and Impacts

This resolution directly targets the anti-vaccine policies and rhetoric of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as the rollback of immunization requirements in Florida. It aims to push back against these efforts and reaffirm the importance of vaccines for public health.

The resolution would impact the general public by reinforcing the Senate's support for widespread vaccine adoption to protect communities. It could also influence policymakers and public health officials to maintain or strengthen vaccine requirements and access.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

This resolution has been introduced in the Senate and is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. If passed, it would represent the formal position and sentiment of the Senate on this issue, but would not have the force of law. The resolution's next steps would be referral to a committee, potential amendments, and a vote by the full Senate.